Thug Luv 2 (8 page)

“What’s wrong with what you have on?” He asked, taking his eyes off the road for a moment to look at her. “You look good in anything you wear.” Aaliyah blushed and was delighted over the compliment. Be that as it may, she would have loved to freshen up just a bit.

“Thanks.”

Ace and Aaliyah rode in silence as the music played low in the background. Aaliyah wanted to press him about what had gone down the night before. However, she realized it wasn’t the time. When Ace was ready to talk about his dealings in the streets, he would.

As if he could read her mind. “I know you’re wondering what happened last night, but that’s something I don’t need or want you to worry about. Leave that to me,” Ace advised. “It took me a long time to learn how to separate the two. When I think you need to know something, I’ll let you know,” he concluded. “All I wanna worry about is spending time with you.” Aaliyah nodded her head, indicating she understood completely.

*

Ace pulled into the parking lot of Nara Sushi Japanese Restaurant. After getting out, he walked around the car and assisted Aaliyah. They walked into the restaurant hand-in-hand. Nara Sushi was one of the best spots in Virginia Beach; Ace hadn’t been there in years. He was excited when Keema called to inform him of the place she had selected. Back in the day, when Ace didn’t have a care in the world, they use to meet at Nara’s at least two or three times a week.

Amir and Aaliyah enjoyed each other’s company inside the quiet environment while enjoying various types of Sushi. Their conversation flowed effortlessly; they both smiled continuously.

Ace sat back and admired Aaliyah’s beauty, but she wasn’t just a pretty face.

“Why are you over there staring at me like that?” Aaliyah asked. “Do I have something on my face?” She joked. But at the same time, she was dead serious as she grabbed a napkin to wipe her face. “No, I’m just admiring how beautiful you are and that amazing smile you have,” he answered causing her to blush.

“Thanks,” she said as she looked away. Aaliyah could never stare into Ace’s eyes for too long. He always made her feel helpless and exposed.

“Amir, can I ask you something?” Aaliyah asked, finally turning back to look into his handsome face.

“You know you can ask me anything,” Ace replied.

“Growing up, what did you see yourself doing and being when you became an adult?”

“I always saw myself as a business man who owned his own Fortune 500 Company,” Ace answered.

“What stopped you?”

“Life. When I lost my father, I had to step up and be a man at a young age. All my dreams and hopes went out the window. I did everything to protect and care for my brother the best way I knew how.” Ace said with a faraway look in his eyes.

“You still have time to make your dreams come true. Amir, you’re a smart, handsome man. When you say you want to do something, you make it happen,” Aaliyah encouraged him.

“With everything going on in my life, I just hope to see my daughters graduate from high school,” Ace answered truthfully. “Let me ask you something,” Ace stated ready to divert the conversation away from him.

“I’m listening.”

“How did you get caught up in this lifestyle; and with J’vion?”

“I’ve been around this lifestyle my entire life. My father was heavy in the game. He’s the one who schooled me,” Aaliyah answered. “I met J’vion during my first year of college. I fell for him immediately. I mean, he wined and dined me, made me feel like I was worth more than life itself. And for that, I wanted nothing more than to hold him down and prove my love. But as time went on, I started to see his true colors, see him for who he really was. I didn’t wanna be a part of that way of life anymore.” She admitted, stopping to take a sip of her drink. “I felt as if I was losing myself and becoming someone I wasn’t for someone who didn’t really love me. As long as I was doing what he wanted, when he wanted, everything was cool. I made a promise to my father before he died that I would make him proud. I had always talked about wanting to become a lawyer. Thus, I went back to school and did what I said I would do,” she completed.

“What’s so different about me?” Ace questioned. “I mean you said you didn’t want any part of this lifestyle but you’re here with me.”

“Amir, when I met you, you weren’t in the game. You were a single father raising your daughters the best you knew how. You were forced back into the game to save your wife. I have the upmost respect for you for doing that,” Aaliyah told him. “Every day, I see you struggling with your situation. However, you take it in stride and make it work for you. There aren’t too many men like you left out here.

“Even after I told you Sunshine was alive, why did you stay?”

“Why leave now?” I’ve been holding you down since day one. Why run when the heat gets turned up?” Aaliyah asked. “I fell in love with you; and I absolutely adore Savanna and Serenity. I’ve never had a family. Therefore, I enjoy the time I get to spend with you and the twins. When I’m with you, I feel as if nothing else matters. It’s a breath of fresh air. When you wrap your arms around me, you make me feel as if nothing or no one can harm me. You make me feel secure and safe,” she professed.

*

After dinner, Ace rented a hotel on the beach. He wanted to spend some much needed time with Aaliyah. Things in his life were crazy. He was convinced things were going to get worse before they got better. That is, if things did get better. Ace still had to find a way to tell Aaliyah that he had found and saved Sunshine. He didn’t know why he was so anxious about telling her. She had been nothing but supportive throughout this entire ordeal.

Ace sat in the chair outside on the balcony, smoking a blunt as he admired the diamond ring he had gotten Aaliyah. Ace couldn’t lie; his heart was in two places. One half was with Sunshine and the other half with Aaliyah. How could he think about choosing when both of them had held him down from the very beginning?

“Look at this view,” Aaliyah said standing in the doorway of the balcony. The sun was setting, providing the perfect hue of colors over the horizon. Aaliyah walked out wrapped in a bathrobe then wrapped her arms around Ace’s neck. “What are you out here thinking about?” She asked.

Aaliyah could see the stress Ace was encountering on his face. He did everything he could to hide it but he wasn’t successful. Aaliyah wished there was something she could do to take his stress away because she would.

“Everything,” Ace answered. He sat up and pulled her onto his lap. He kissed her lips before looking into her eyes. “I got you something. It’s just a small thank you gift. You’ve gone beyond the duties of a friend,” Ace disclosed as he handed her the ring box.

“You…”

“Just open it,” Ace instructed cutting her off. Aaliyah did as he requested. She opened the ring box. Suddenly, she was face-to-face with a gorgeous princess cut diamond ring. “This is a promise ring from me to you. I promise that whatever happens next, you and I will always have an unbreakable bond and friendship. I promise to be there for you whenever you need me; I promise to protect you at any and all costs. And yes, I promise to love you until the day I die,” Ace whispered in her ear.

Aaliyah wrapped her arms around his neck as she tried holding back the tears. “All I ask of you is to honor your promises to the best of your ability,” she requested.

Ace picked Aaliyah up and carried her back into their hotel room where he made love to her under the moonlight.

*

Hours later, Aaliyah woke up to find Ace’s side of the bed empty. She opened her eyes and looked around the dark room. He was standing on the balcony whispering into his phone. She grabbed her robe, slid her naked body into it, and stood at the doorway. “Dr. Thomas, how is she?” He asked.

“Amir, she’s doing fine,” he answered. “When can you get here? She’s been asking for you,” he reported.

“I’ll be there as soon as I can. Thanks again,” Ace said as he disconnected the call.

“Sunshine needs you,” Aaliyah said leaning against the door. Ace turned around to face her. He was at a loss for words; he didn’t know what to say. “Amir, I’m fine and will always be. She needs you more than ever right now,” she advised.

“I don’t wanna just up and leave you. I can’t do that,” Ace confessed.

“You can drop me off at home. I’ll pick the girls up in the morning. They can spend the day with me in my office. Let’s get dressed and go,” Aaliyah declared as she turned to go back into the hotel room.

“Are you sure?” Ace asked following her inside.

“Amir, I’m sure. Now let’s go,” she said getting dressed.

*

It was 4:30 a.m. The roads were clear of traffic; the thirty minute drive was a breeze. Ace dropped Aaliyah off. Then he headed to the motel he had decided to keep Sunshine in until she was well enough to move about on her own. He wanted to be safe and not sorry.

“Be careful; call me when you can,” Aaliyah said as she hugged him before climbing out of the passenger seat.

“I will and you call me if you need anything. Aaliyah, I do mean anything,” Ace assured her. Aaliyah smiled and told him she would call if she required anything. Ace watched Aaliyah until she was safely inside. He drove around the block a few times to make sure nothing was out of place before he drove to the motel.

Chapter 9

J’vion was livid; he couldn’t believe he had come that close to death again. He didn’t understand what went wrong. He didn’t know what it was gonna take to kill Ace; that alone pissed him off. It was as if someone was conveying his every move to Ace. His strategy was planned perfectly and was as solid as it got.

“What the hell went wrong?” J’vion asked as he paced the floor back and forth like a caged animal. He looked over at Adam who was sitting with his head in his lap.

“Nigga, I know you ain’t over there looking like a sad puppy over no bitch!” J’vion huffed. “Bitches come and go. She wasn’t strong enough to survive the attack. It happens every fucking day, deal with it and move on,” he admonished.

“I should have never picked up that phone,” Adam said as he jumped into J’vion’s face. “Because of you, she’s dead,” he said shoving J’vion into the wall.

“If you didn’t pick up the phone, you and that bitch would have been swimming with the fishes,” J’vion spat. “Instead of complaining about what you can’t change, take your anger out on the mothafucka responsible for her death. Make him pay; make him feel what you feel,” he yelled, shoving Adam back.

“That’s one thing you don’t have to worry about,” Adam declared. “Oh, and you don’t have to worry about you and I working together. Do what you gotta do, just don’t get caught in the crossfire,” he warned as he turned to walk away.

“What is that suppose to mean?” J’vion asked. Adam shrugged his shoulders as he walked out.

*

Adam hadn’t cried since he had lost his father years ago. But he was taking Brenda’s death hard. To watch her life drain from her body hurt him to the core. He wished she would have just walked away when he told her to. Perhaps, she would still be alive. Brenda’s demise had him feeling lonely once again. Adam knew he couldn’t turn to Ace. He wouldn’t if he could. He blamed Ace for all the misfortunes and mishaps in his life. Adam only regretted one thing he had done in life, and that was telling Brenda how he really felt about her. Over the years, they had both gotten so caught up in desiring to witness Sunshine and Ace’s failure that they forgot about living and their own happiness.

Adam jumped into his car and quickly reached into the glove compartment. He hadn’t slept in two days. Every time he closed his eyes, the image of the bullet penetrating Brenda’s body and her soul slipping away played over and over again as if it was on repeat. Adam hadn’t used drugs in years. However, with each passing day, his body yearned for it more and more. This was a reality he didn’t want to face alone. He didn’t wanna believe she was gone. Nevertheless, he had witnessed it with his own eyes. He held her until she took her last breath while bullets flew above their heads. The gunshots echoed loudly in his ears as body after body plummeted to the floor. It didn’t help any that he couldn’t get the sounds of the gunshots out of his mind or the smell of death off the tip of his nose. It didn’t matter how much he scrubbed his nose or covered his ears, both would always be embedded in his soul until he took his last breath.

Adam looked at the white powered substance he was holding in his hands. He had promised himself he would never go back to consuming any type of drug again. If using again would help him forget about his current reality and situation, so be it. He poured the substance onto a CD case; separating twin lines, he inhaled the first one. The effect quickly enveloped his body. Adam sniffed the other line, leaned back, closed his eyes, and was taken to the gates of heaven.

Brenda’s face popped into his mind, causing him to smile. “Damn, I never got a chance to tell her how beautiful I always thought she was,” Adam thought. “I promise you that Amir is going to pay for your death,” he mumbled.

*

Boy, Jay, and Boog were sitting in Boy’s backyard having a few beers. Keema, Neisha, and Tamera were in the front of the house cooking on the grill.

“I’m telling you, I wasn’t gonna leave until I bodied both those niggas,” Jay said angrily. He was still pissed that Ace had ordered him to leave.

“Your trigger happy ass needs to sit down somewhere,” Boog said.

“Mane, this shit needs to end,” Jay declared. Boog and Boy agreed by nodding their heads. “We all know this isn’t gonna end until either one of the three are dead,” Jay affirmed.

“What is he gonna do about Sunshine and Aaliyah?” Boog questioned.

“Mane, that nigga got it good!” Jay laughed. “Now that’s gonna be a tough decision for him.”

“He has a lot on his plate,” Boy said. “The same glimmer I saw in his eyes years ago when he first met Sunshine is the same one I see when he looks at Aaliyah.” He said sipping from his beer.

“I never understood how one man can be up against so much and not once display any signs of weakness,” Boog admitted. “Most niggas would have folded but Ace takes it all in stride.”

“Most mothafuckas expected him to disintegrate. It’s crazy because niggas nowadays will wish you the best of luck but as soon as you turn your back, they’re wishing you nothing but misfortune,” Boy said. “It’s one thing we all learned growing up. It will stick with us for the rest of our lives–learning how to survive in the cruel world,” he stated.

“Look at us,” Jay laughed. “Why are we sitting here getting all emotional and shit? You know I don’t do emotions well. When I start getting in my feelings, that’s when my bitch, Nina starts rocking niggas to sleep for good,” he joked but was actually dead serious.

“It’s good to let your feelings out once in a while,” Boy smiled. “Thugs do cry.”

“Nah, but on the real,” Jay said. “I respect and love you niggas. Y’all were the first niggas that told me you were gonna do something and did it. Y’all were the first niggas I ever put my trust in; and I haven’t regretted it yet. Y’all niggas have always been loyal to me and you’ll always have my loyalty.” Jay told them, getting emotional. Even so, he wanted his boys to be aware of how he really felt. “They say blood ain’t always thicker than water. In this case, it’s true.” Jay said waving his hand in the air as he got up from his seat. “Y’all niggas got me in my feelings. Just know I love y’all,” he laughed to keep from crying.

Boy and Ace stood up, taking turns embracing Jay in a brotherly hug.

“Let’s toast to love and loyalty,” Boy requested.

“I’ll toast to that and “Thug Luv,” Boog said.

“Y’all know me. I’ll toast to anything,” Jay said causing everyone to laugh.

*

Ace sat across from Sunshine as he watched her sleep. Despite all the cuts and bruises, he still found her just as beautiful as he did the first day he laid eyes on her. Sunshine having survived being enslaved and beaten for three years, proved to Ace just how strong she really was. He admired her for that. He had so many questions that needed to be answered; but he wasn’t sure if it was a good idea to ask now. When the time was right, he would.

Sunshine grunted. When she opened her eyes, she and Ace were staring at one another. She slowly turned away with tears in her eyes.

“Sunshine, everything is going to be okay,” Ace said as he sat on the edge of the bed. “You don’t have to cry anymore. You’re safe and I promise I won’t make the same mistake twice.”

Sunshine shook her head as she repeated, “I’m sorry,” over and over again.

“You don’t understand,” Sunshine whispered.

“Well, if I don’t understand, help me to understand,” Ace requested.

Sunshine continued to shake her head. She didn’t know how to explain nor did she want to. Ace had sacrificed so much already. Sunshine knew she was wrong and selfish at times. Even so, she wanted someone to suffer just as she had for the past three years.

Ace sighed as he ran his hands over his face. He never wanted to see Sunshine in the condition she was in. Ace wished he could trade places with her and take all her pain away. He knew it didn’t matter how long it took for the external scars to heal, she would still have to deal with the internal damage. In spite of that, he would be with her every step of the way, helping her heal the best way he could.

*

J’vion banged on Adam’s front door continually.

“Hold up!” Adam yelled as he opened the door.

“What’s wrong with you?” J’vion asked stepping inside.

“I have a headache,” Adam lied. He was coming down from being high and was ready to get another hit. J’vion was in his way.

J’vion looked at him with his nose turned up. He knew a fiend when he saw one. “You’re using?” He inquired.

“Why are you here?” Adam asked as he kicked a pile of trash out of the way and flopped down on the sofa.

“We got mothafuckas trynna kill us and you’re in here smoking your life away!” J’vion yelled. “The fuck they do that at?”

“What do you want? If you came here to judge me, you can leave right fucking now!” Adam yelled pointing toward the door.

“At this point, it really doesn’t matter because you’ll be of no help,” J’vion said as he turned to leave. “When was the last time you showered?” J’vion asked, holding his nose as he looked around the apartment. There was trash, empty food containers, beer cans, pizza boxes, and clothes all over the place. You name it, it was somewhere in Adam’s living room growing hair on it and god only knows what else.

“Let me guess, you came up with another million dollar plan?” Adam asked chuckling. “Fuck you and all your million dollar schemes. They always fail. With that being said, you do what you gotta do and I’ma do what I gotta do,” Adam retorted.

J’vion looked at Adam with disgust. “You’re weak and always will be. You need to remember that weak niggas don’t survive,” J’vion spat as he walked out the front door.

Adam could care less what J’vion or any other nigga had to say about him. It was what it was. Adam had his own strategy and would take action when he sobered up. He was always too high to do anything. He wanted mothafuckas to forget about him; he wanted to use a surprise attack, where no one saw or even thought it was coming. Adam knew when dealing with Ace that nothing was a surprise; he always expected the unexpected. Ace had taught him that. Sometimes Adam wished he could have one last talk with his brother. For different reasons, he knew that would never happen, which he respected. Adam hated when his mind speculated over “what if questions.” Picking up his pipe and lighter, he began getting high once again.